Roof mounted airbag for protection of front row mid and outboard passengers in frontal, offset, and oblique crash modes

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a roof-mounted airbag apparatus in a vehicle. The vehicle includes a roof, an instrument panel, and two passenger seats in a front row. The airbag apparatus includes an inflator and an airbag that is fluidly coupled to the inflator. The airbag is inflatable and deployable from the roof in an interior of the vehicle between the passenger seats and the instrument panel, and includes a cavity.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to safety restraint systems.

Description of the Related Art

In certain vehicles, a front row includes a driver seat and two frontpassenger seats adjacent to the driver seat. It may be desirable toextend coverage of a safety restraint system, e.g., an airbag, to coverfront row passengers.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a roof-mounted airbag apparatus havingan inflatable and deployable airbag that may provide extended coverageto front row-seated passengers, with efficient, robust, and compact formfactors.

For example, in one example, non-limiting embodiment, a vehicle of thepresent disclosure includes a roof, an instrument panel, a seat, and anairbag apparatus mounted in the roof. The airbag apparatus has aninflator and an airbag that is fluidly coupled to the inflator. Theairbag is inflatable and deployable from the roof in an interior of thevehicle between the seat and the instrument panel. The airbag, whendeployed and inflated, has an outer periphery and a cavity that extendsthrough the airbag.

For example, in another example, non-limiting embodiment, a systemincludes a vehicle roof, an inflator, a diffuser tube, and an airbagfluidly coupled to the inflator via the diffuser tuber. The airbag isinflatable and deployable from the roof. The airbag, when deployed andinflated, has an outer periphery and a cavity that extends through theairbag.

For example, in another example, non-limiting embodiment, an airbag isdeployable from a vehicle roof. The airbag, when inflated, includes anouter periphery defined by a lateral width and a longitudinal width. Theairbag also includes a cavity that extends through the airbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiments, reference will now bemade by way of example to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizesand relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarilydrawn to scale. For example, some of these elements may be enlarged andpositioned to improve drawing legibility.

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway plan view of a vehicle according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of the vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 from an interiorthereof illustrating a deployed airbag.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the vehicle of FIG. 3 illustrating thedeployed airbag.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a partial top view of the vehicle from an interior thereof anda roof and an instrument panel removed for clarity of illustration anddescription, illustrating the deployed airbag of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a partial top view of the vehicle from an interior thereofand a roof and an instrument panel removed for clarity of illustrationand description, illustrating the deployed airbag of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17 is a partial top view of the vehicle from an interior thereofand a roof and an instrument panel removed for clarity of illustrationand description, illustrating the deployed airbag of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a partial rear view of a vehicle from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 19 is a partial top view of the vehicle from an interior thereofand a roof removed for clarity of illustration and description,illustrating the deployed airbag of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures or methods associated with vehicleshave not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a partial, breakaway top view of a vehicle 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle 100 may be, forexample, a transit vehicle. The vehicle 100 includes a roof 120, shownpartially only for clarity of description and illustration. The vehicle100 includes a front row 102 that has a first passenger seat 104, asecond passenger seat 106, and a driver seat 107 (FIG. 2). The vehicle100 includes an instrument panel 108 adjacent to the front row 102. Thevehicle 100 also includes an airbag apparatus 110 that is mounted on theroof 120 of the vehicle 100 that includes an airbag 116 that isdeployable to provide coverage to the first passenger seat 104 and thesecond passenger seat 106.

FIG. 2 is a partial, side isometric view of the vehicle 100. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle 100, in some embodiments, may includea second row 112 and a third row 114 in addition to the front row 102.The second row 112 includes a plurality of seats 112 a that arepositioned behind the front sitting row 102. Similarly, the third row114 includes a plurality of seats 114 a that are positioned behind thesecond row 112. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the airbag apparatus 110including the airbag 116 that is deployable to provide coverage to thefront row 102, in alternative embodiments, one or more airbagapparatuses 110 can be mounted on the roof 120 and deployable to providecoverage to the second row 112 and the third row 114.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are, respectively, a partial rear view and a partial sideview of the vehicle 100 from an interior thereof illustrating thedeployed airbag 116. The airbag apparatus 110 includes an inflator 115that is in fluid communication with an airbag inlet 118 of the airbag116. The inflator 115, for example, may include a gas generating agent,which can generate an inflation gas for inflating the airbag 116 whendetonated in response to detection of an impact event. In general, theairbag 116 can comprise a fabric or other suitable material, and isgenerally stored in a folded configuration. During an impact event, theinflation gas is fluidly communicated from the inflator 115 to thefolded airbag 116 resulting in inflation and deployment.

The airbag 116 is inflatable and deployable from the roof 120 in aninterior compartment 122 of the vehicle 100 between the instrument panel108 and the front row 102. The interior compartment 122 may be definedas a space or region between the instrument panel 108 and the front row102. The airbag 116, when deployed and inflated, is positioned withinthe interior compartment 122.

The airbag 116, when deployed and inflated, includes an outer periphery116 a and a cavity 148 extending through the airbag 116. The outerperiphery 116 a of the airbag 116 is defined by a lateral width 124 anda longitudinal width 126. In an embodiment, the lateral width 124 andthe longitudinal width 126 of the airbag 116 provide the outer periphery116 a to cover a head, a torso, and a neck of a first occupant 128 and asecond occupant 138 seated in the front row 102.

The cavity 148 is generally sized and shaped to mitigate impact on thefirst and second occupants 128, 138 when the airbag 116 is inflated anddeployed. For example, upon impact of the first and second occupants128, 138, the cavity 148 generally provides for the airbag 116 to moveor flap in a hinged configuration. In this manner, the impact of theairbag 116 to the first and second occupants 128, 138 may be mitigated,restricted, or reduced. The cavity 148 includes a first portion 130, asecond portion 132, and a third portion 134. The first portion 130 is ahorizontal portion that extends parallel to the roof 120 along thelateral width 124 of the airbag 116. The second portion 132 and thethird portion 134 are vertical portions extending perpendicular to thefirst portion 130 to define a central portion 136 of the airbag 116 thatfaces the heads of the first occupant 128 and the second occupant 138when the airbag 116 is inflated and deployed. The central portion 136 isgenerally located between the second portion 132 and the third portion134.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 200 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 202. The vehicle 200 is generally similarto the vehicle 100, as described in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, thevehicle 200 includes an airbag apparatus 211 having an inflator (notshown for clarity of description and illustration), an airbag 202 thatis inflatable and deployable, an airbag inlet 204, and a cavity 206having a first portion 208, a second portion 210, and a third portion212. However, the airbag apparatus 211 provides certain variations. Forexample, the cavity 206 also includes a fourth portion 214 between thesecond portion 210 and the third portion 212. The fourth portion 214extends perpendicular to the first portion 208, and parallel to both thesecond portion 210 and the third portion 212. The fourth portion 214 isa vertical portion extending perpendicularly to the first portion 208 todefine a first central portion 218 and a second central portion 220. Thefirst central portion 218 is positioned between the second portion 210and the fourth portion 214. The second central portion 220 is positionedbetween the third portion 212 and the fourth portion 214. When theairbag 202 is deployed and inflated, the first central portion 218generally faces the head of a first occupant 226 and the second centralportion 220 generally faces the head of a second occupant 228.

FIG. 6 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 300 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 302. The vehicle 300 is generally similarto the vehicle 100, as described in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, thevehicle 300 includes an airbag apparatus 311 having an inflator (notshown for clarity of description and illustration), an airbag 302 thatis inflatable and deployable, an airbag inlet 304, and a cavity 306having a first portion 308, a second portion 310, and a third portion312. However, the airbag apparatus 311 provides certain variations. Thecavity 306 also includes a fourth portion 314 and a fifth portion 316that extend perpendicular to the first portion 308 and parallel to thesecond portion 310 and the third portion 312. The fourth portion 314 andthe fifth portion 316 are vertical portions that project out of thefirst portion 308 and define a first central portion 318, a secondcentral portion 330, and a center lip portion 320. The first centralportion 318 is positioned between the second portion 310 and the fourthportion 314. The second central portion 330 is positioned between thethird portion 312 and the fifth portion 316. The center lip portion 320is positioned between the fourth portion 314 and the fifth portion 316.

When the airbag 302 is inflated and deployed, the first central portion318 faces the head of a first occupant 332 and the second centralportion 330 faces the head of a second occupant 334. The center lipportion 320 provides additional support to either of the first occupant332 and the second occupant 334 in the event of an oblique impact incontrast to a full-frontal impact, or in the event either of the firstoccupant 332 or the second occupant 334 is slightly offset, duringimpact, from a nominal seating position. In particular, the first,second, third, fourth, and fifth portions 308, 310, 312, 314, 316 arearranged to provide a center region 328. The center region 328, inaddition, or alternative, to the center lip portion 320 may also provideadditional support in an oblique impact or if the first and secondoccupants 332, 334 are offset, during impact, from the nominal seatingposition, in which the first occupant 332 may face, in a frontalposition, the first central portion 318, and the second occupant 334 mayface, in a frontal position, the second central portion 330.

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 400 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 402. The vehicle 400 is generally similarto the vehicle 100 of FIGS. 3 and 4. The vehicle 400 includes an airbagapparatus 411 having an inflator (not shown for clarity of descriptionand illustration), an airbag 402 that is inflatable and deployable, andan airbag inlet 404. However, the airbag apparatus 411 provides certainvariations. For example, the airbag 402 includes a first cavity 408 anda second cavity 410. The first cavity 408 includes a horizontal portion412, a first vertical portion 414, and a second vertical portion 416.The first vertical portion 414 and the second vertical portion 416project out of the horizontal portion 412 to define a first centralportion 424. Similarly, the second cavity 410 includes a horizontalportion 418, a first vertical portion 420, and a second vertical portion422. The first vertical portion 420 and the second vertical portion 422project out of the horizontal portion 418 to define a second centralportion 426. The first central portion 424 faces the head of a firstoccupant 428 and the second central portion 426 faces the head of asecond occupant 430. A longitudinal region 444 between the first cavity408 and the second cavity 410 extends from an upper edge 432 of theairbag 402 to a lower edge 434 of the airbag 402, which can providestability of the airbag 402 and additional support to the first occupant428 and the second occupant 430 during impact.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a partial rear view and a partial top view of avehicle 500, respectively, from an interior thereof illustrating adeployed airbag 502, with the roof 120 and the instrument panel 108removed for clarity of illustration and description in FIG. 9. Thevehicle 500 is generally similar to the vehicle 400 of FIG. 7. Thevehicle 500 includes an airbag apparatus 511 having an inflator (notshown for clarity of description and illustration), an airbag 502 thatis inflatable and deployable, an airbag inlet 504, a first cavity 506,and a second cavity 508. The first cavity 506 includes a horizontalportion 522, a first vertical portion 518, and a second vertical portion524. The second cavity 508 includes a horizontal portion 526, a firstvertical portion 528, and a second vertical portion 520. However, theairbag apparatus 511 provides certain variations. For example, theairbag apparatus 511 includes a plurality of lobes 510 that extendoutwardly from the airbag 502 beyond an outer surface 532 of the airbag502 toward a first occupant 512 and a second occupant 514.

The plurality of lobes 510 includes a first lobe 510 a that ispositioned between a first outer edge 516 of the airbag 502 and thefirst vertical portion 518 of the first cavity 506. The plurality oflobes 510 also includes a second lobe 510 b that is positioned betweenthe first cavity 506 and the second cavity 508. The first lobe 510 a andthe second lobe 510 b may provide support to the first occupant 512 inthe event of an oblique impact, or in the event the first occupant 512is offset, during impact, from a nominal seating position. The pluralityof lobes 510 also includes a third lobe 510 c that is positioned betweenthe second vertical portion 520 of the second cavity 508 and a secondouter edge 530 of the airbag 502. The second lobe 510 b and the thirdlobe 510 c may provide support to the second occupant 514 in the eventof an oblique impact, or in the event the second occupant 514 is offset,during impact, from the nominal position.

FIG. 10 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 600 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 602. The vehicle 600 is generally similarto the vehicle 500 of FIGS. 8 and 9. The vehicle 600 includes an airbagapparatus 611 having an inflator (not shown for clarity of descriptionand illustration), an airbag 602 that is inflatable and deployable, anairbag inlet 604, a plurality of lobes 610, e.g., a first lobe 610 a, asecond lobe 610 b, and a third lobe 610 c, a first cavity 606, and asecond cavity 608. The first cavity 606 includes a horizontal portion612, a first vertical portion 614, and a second vertical portion 616.The second cavity 608 includes a horizontal portion 618, a firstvertical portion 620, and a second vertical portion 622. The airbagapparatus 611 provides certain variations. For example, each ofplurality of lobes 610 is elongated such that each of the lobes 610extends beyond a lower edge 624 of the first cavity 606 and the secondcavity 608 toward a lower edge 626 of the airbag 602. The elongatedlobes 610 may provide additional support to a first occupant 628 and asecond occupant 630. In addition, the elongated lobes 610 may providecushioning to the heads and torsos of the first occupant 628 and thesecond occupant 630 during impact.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are a partial rear view and a partial top view of avehicle 700, respectively, from an interior thereof illustrating adeployed airbag 702, with the roof 120 and the instrument panel 108removed for clarity of illustration and description in FIG. 12. Thevehicle 700 of FIGS. 11 and 12 is generally similar to the vehicle 100of FIG. 3. The vehicle 700 includes an airbag apparatus 711 having aninflator (not shown for clarity of description and illustration), anairbag 702 that is inflatable and deployable, an airbag inlet 704, and acavity 706 including a horizontal portion 708, a first vertical portion710, and a second vertical portion 712. The vehicle 700 provides certainvariations. For example, the airbag apparatus 711 includes a diffusertube 714 that is configured to direct gas from the inflator to theairbag 702.

The diffuser tube 714 has a Y-shaped structure that includes a firsttube portion 716, a second tube portion 718, and a third tube portion720. The first tube portion 716 extends from the third tube portion 720toward the first vertical portion 710 of the cavity 706. The second tubeportion 718 extends from the third tube portion 720 toward the secondvertical portion 712 of the cavity 706. The diffuser tube 714 isgenerally sized, shaped, and arranged to facilitate uniform distributionof gas to the airbag 702. The airbag 702 is fluidly coupled to theinflator via the diffuser tube 714.

FIG. 13 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 800 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 802. The vehicle 800 of FIG. 13 isgenerally similar to the vehicle 400 of FIG. 7. The vehicle 800 includesan airbag apparatus 811 having an airbag 802, an airbag inlet 804, aninflator (not shown for clarity of description and illustration), afirst cavity 806, and a second cavity 808. The airbag apparatus 811provides certain variations. For example, the airbag apparatus 811includes a secondary airbag inlet 810 in addition to the airbag inlet804. The secondary airbag inlet 810 is spaced apart from the airbaginlet 804. As shown in FIG. 13, the airbag inlet 804 and the secondaryairbag inlet 810 are each angularly positioned with respect to an upperedge 816 at an angle α. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, theangle α may be an obtuse angle. In some embodiments, the secondaryairbag inlet 810 may inflate the airbag 802 concurrently with the airbaginlet 804. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the secondary airbaginlet 810 may inflate the airbag 802 sequentially with the airbag inlet804. In general, the secondary airbag inlet 810 may optionally beprovided to support fluid communication of a larger volume of gas to theairbag 802.

FIG. 14 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 900 from an interior thereofillustrating a deployed airbag 902. The vehicle 900 of FIG. 14 isgenerally similar to the vehicle 800 of FIG. 13. The vehicle 900includes an airbag apparatus 911 having an airbag 902, an airbag inlet904, an inflator (not shown for clarity of description andillustration), a secondary airbag inlet 906, a first cavity 908 and, asecond cavity 910. The airbag apparatus 911 provides certain variations.For example, the secondary airbag inlet 906 and the airbag inlet 904 arepositioned proximate to opposing ends of the airbag 902. The airbaginlet 904 is angularly oriented at an angle β relative to an upper edge918 of the airbag 902, where the angle β may be an acute angle. Thesecondary airbag inlet 906 is angularly oriented at an angle Y relativeto the upper edge 918 of the airbag 902, where the angle Y may be anobtuse angle. Moreover, the secondary airbag inlet 906 and the airbaginlet 904 are arranged to be a mirror image of each other relative to acentral axis 920.

FIG. 15 is a partial rear view of a vehicle 1000 from an interiorthereof illustrating a deployed airbag 1002. The vehicle 1000 of FIG. 15is generally similar to the vehicle 900 of FIG. 14. The vehicle 1000includes an airbag apparatus 1011 having an airbag 1002, an inflator(not shown for clarity of description and illustration), an airbag inlet1004, a secondary airbag inlet 1006, a first cavity 1008, and a secondcavity 1010. The airbag apparatus 1011 provides certain variations. Forexample, the secondary airbag inlet 1006 and the airbag inlet 1004 areeach positioned proximate to opposing ends of the deployed and inflatedairbag 1002. The airbag inlet 1004 and the secondary airbag inlet 1006are each angularly oriented at an angle δ relative to an upper edge 1018of the airbag 1002, where the angle δ may be an obtuse angle.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are a partial rear view and a partial top view,respectively, of a vehicle 1100 from an interior thereof illustrating adeployed airbag 1102, with the roof 120 and the instrument panel 108removed for clarity of illustration and description in FIG. 17. Thevehicle 1100 of FIGS. 16 and 17 is generally similar to the vehicle 1000of FIG. 15. The vehicle 1100 includes an airbag apparatus 1111 having anairbag 1102, an inflator (not shown for clarity of description andillustration), an airbag inlet 1104, a secondary airbag inlet 1106, afirst cavity 1108 and, a second cavity 1110. The airbag apparatus 1111provides certain variations. For example, the airbag inlet 1104 isspaced apart from the secondary airbag inlet 1106 in a first direction1112 and a second direction 1114. Both the airbag inlet 1104 and thesecondary airbag inlet 1106 are angularly oriented at an angle corelative to an upper edge 1115 of the airbag 1102, where the angle comay, in some embodiments, be an obtuse angle.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a partial rear view and a partial top view,respectively, of a vehicle 1200 from an interior thereof illustrating adeployed airbag 1202, with the roof 120 and the instrument panel 108removed for clarity of illustration and description in FIG. 19. Thevehicle 1200 of FIGS. 18 and 19 is generally similar to the vehicle 1100of FIGS. 16 and 17. For example, the vehicle 1200 includes an airbagapparatus 1211 having an airbag 1202, an inflator (not shown for clarityof description and illustration), an airbag inlet 1204, a secondaryairbag inlet 1206, a first cavity 1208 and, a second cavity 1210. Theairbag apparatus 1211, however, provides certain variations. Forexample, the airbag inlet 1204 is angularly oriented relative to acentral axis 1215 of the airbag apparatus 1210 at an angle μ₁ and thesecondary airbag inlet 1206 is angularly oriented relative to thecentral axis 1215 at an opposing angle μ₂. Moreover, the airbag inlet1204 is spaced apart from a secondary airbag inlet 1206 in a firstdirection 1212 and a second direction 1214.

Moreover, the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a roof; aninstrument panel; a seat; and an airbag apparatus mounted in the roof,the airbag apparatus having: an inflator; and an airbag that is fluidlycoupled to the inflator, the airbag inflatable and deployable from theroof in an interior of the vehicle between the seat and the instrumentpanel to a deployed position; the airbag in the deployed position havingan outer periphery; the airbag in the deployed position having avehicle-rearward face, a vehicle-forward face, and a cavity that extendsthrough the vehicle-rearward face and the vehicle-forward face, thecavity being spaced from the outer periphery; the cavity including ahorizontal portion, a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion,and a third vertical portion, the first, second, and third verticalportions extending perpendicularly relative to the horizontal portion;the horizontal portion and the first and second vertical portionsdefining a first central portion, and the horizontal portion and thesecond and third vertical portions define a second central portionspaced from the first central portion.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the seat is a passenger seat located in a front row of thevehicle.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondaryinflator, wherein the secondary inflator is inflatable concurrently withthe inflator.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondaryinflator, wherein the secondary inflator is inflatable sequentially withthe inflator.
 5. The vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outerperiphery is defined by a lateral width and a longitudinal width of theairbag.
 6. The vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein thevehicle-rearward face and the vehicle-forward face each extendcross-vehicle from a left side of the periphery to a right side of theperiphery, and the vehicle-rearward face and the vehicle-forward faceeach extend vertically from a bottom side of the periphery to a top sideof the periphery.
 7. A system, comprising: a vehicle roof; an inflator;a diffuser tube; and an airbag fluidly coupled to the inflator via thediffuser tube, the airbag inflatable and deployable from the roof to adeployed position; the airbag in the deployed position having an outerperiphery; the airbag in the deployed position having a vehicle-rearwardface, a vehicle-forward face, and a cavity that extends through thevehicle-rearward face and the vehicle-forward face, the cavity beingspaced from the outer periphery; the cavity including a horizontalportion, a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion, and athird vertical portion, the first, second, and third vertical portionsextending perpendicularly relative to the horizontal portion; thehorizontal portion and the first and second vertical portions defining afirst central portion, and the horizontal portion and the second andthird vertical portions define a second central portion spaced from thefirst central portion.
 8. An airbag deployable from a vehicle roof to adeployed position, the airbag in the deployed position comprising: anouter periphery defined by a lateral width and a longitudinal width; anda vehicle-rearward face, a vehicle-forward face, and a cavity thatextends through the vehicle-rearward face and the vehicle-forward face,the cavity being spaced from the outer periphery; the cavity including ahorizontal portion, a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion,and a third vertical portion, the first, second, and third verticalportions extending perpendicularly relative to the horizontal portion;the horizontal portion and the first and second vertical portionsdefining a first central portion, and the horizontal portion and thesecond and third vertical portions define a second central portionspaced from the first central portion.